The semi-weekly fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1886-1887, 1887-11-18
THE MASTER OF FENCING
THE EXTRAORDINARY FEAT o
FRENCH SOLDIER.
Jean LOuis Meets and Kills Thirteer
Successive Italian Opponents IL
n Single Hour.

Single Hour.
To give an idea of what a brave MAJ
can do if he knows fencing thorough
and but keeps cool and collected ii
danger, we will relate an historical due
So extraordinary is this combat, that i
would be held a romance, had it not beer
witnessed by a whole army. The hero )
Jean Louis, one of the great masters
the beginning of this century, and tn,
duel happened in Madrid in 1913 H
was the master-at-arms of the Thirty
second regiment of French infantry; the
First regiment, composed entirely @.
Italians, formed part of the same brl-
gade.
Regimental esprit de corps and rival
ries of nationality caused constant quar-
rels, when swords were often whipped
out or bullets exchanged. After small
battle had occurred in the streets OF
Madrid, in which over two hundred
French and Italian soldiers had taken
part, the officers of the two regiments
decided to give such breaches of order
blow, and to re-establish discipline; they
decreed that the masters-a at arms of the
two regiments should make up the quar-
rel and fight it out.
Imagine a whole army in battle array
on one of the large plains that surround
Madid. In the centre large ring is left
open for the contestants. This spot Is
raised above the plain, so that not one
of the spectators will miss one phase OF
the contest.
The drum is heard; two men naked tc
the waist step into the ring. The first Is
tall and strong. his black eyes rove dis
painfully upon the gaping crowd; he Is
The second, tall, also handsome, and
with muscles like steel, stands modestly
awaiting the word of command; his
name is Jean Louis The witnesses as
sumo their places on either side of their
principals. A death-like silence en-
sues.
"On guard"
The two masters cross swords; Gia-
como Ferrari lunges repeatedly at Jean
Louis; but in vain, his every thrust Is
met by parry He makes up his mind
to bide his chance, and caresses and
leases his opponents blade, Jean Louis,
calm and watchful, lends himself to the
play, when, quicker than lightning, the
italian Jumps aside with loud yell, and
makes a terrible lunge at Jean LOuis-a
FIorentine trick, often successful. But,
with extraordinary rapidity, Jean Louis
has parried, and risposts quickly IN the
shoulder.
1T is nothing" cries Giacomo, "a
mere Scratch" and they again fall on
guard almost directly he is hit in the
breast. This time, the sword of Jean
Louis, who is now attacking, penetrates
deeply. Giacomo's face becomes livid,
his sword drops from his hand and he
falls heavily on the turf. He is dead.
T = oil IN no
wipes his reeking blaze, then with the
point of his sword in the ground, he
calmly awaits the next man.
The best fencer of the First regiment
has just been carried away corpse; but
the day is not yet over. Fourteen adver
saries are there, impatient to measure
swords with the conqueror, burning
to avenge the master they had deemed
invincible.
Jean Louis has hardly had two min
utess rest He is ready. a new adver-
sary stands before him. A sinister click
OF swords is heard, lunge, a parry,
rispost, and then cry, sigh, and all is
over. A second body is before Jean
Louis.
A third adversary advances. They
wanted Jean Louis to rest. 81 am not
tired" he answers with smile.
The signal IS given. The Italian has
closely watched Jean Louis play, and
thinks he has guessed the secret of his |
victories. He multiplies his feints and
tricks, then, all at once, bounding like
tiger on his prey, he gives his opponent !
a terrible thrust in the lower line. But /
Jean Louis sword has parried, and |
is now deep within his opponents breast.
What need to relate any more; ten new /
adversaries followed him, and the ten !
fell before Jean Louis amid the excited |
wells and roars of the army.
At the request of the Thirty |
Regiment Colonel, who thought the les !
son sufficient, Jean Louis, after much |
pressing, consented to stop the combat,
and he shook hands with the two survi- |
vors, applauded by 10000 men.
From that day fights ceased between
French and Italian soldiers.
This wonderful and gigantic combat
might be held a fable were not all the
facts above stated still found in the
IL